U.S. patent application number 11/483228 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-28 for lamp and method of manufacturing the same.
Invention is credited to Jae-Ho Jung, Moon-Shik Kang, Kyu-Seok Kim, Jeong-Hwan Lee, Keun-Woo Lee, Jong-Dae Park, Hyeong-Suk Yoo, Sang-Hyuck Youn.
Application Number | 20060290282 11/483228 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 19717905 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060290282 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jung; Jae-Ho ; et
al. |
December 28, 2006 |
Lamp and method of manufacturing the same
Abstract
In a lamp and method for fabricating the same, an outer surface
of the lamp tube is dipped into a conductive transparent solution
for forming an electrode by a predetermined depth, and then the
lamp tube is pulled out from the solution. Accordingly, an
electrode having different profiles is formed on the outer surface
of the tube body. Also, the outer surface of the lamp tube is
dipped into the solution by an acute angle, and is pulled out from
the solution. Therefore, a problem of a nonuniform brightness
between lamps is not generated, and light utilization efficiency is
much enhanced even when using a plurality of lamp in parallel
connected to a power supply.
Inventors: |
Jung; Jae-Ho; (Yongin -si,
KR) ; Lee; Keun-Woo; (Suwon-si, KR) ; Park;
Jong-Dae; (Seoul, KR) ; Yoo; Hyeong-Suk;
(Seongnam-si, KR) ; Kang; Moon-Shik; (Seongnam-si,
KR) ; Youn; Sang-Hyuck; (Seoul, KR) ; Kim;
Kyu-Seok; (Yongin-si, KR) ; Lee; Jeong-Hwan;
(Suwon-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CANTOR COLBURN, LLP
55 GRIFFIN ROAD SOUTH
BLOOMFIELD
CT
06002
US
|
Family ID: |
19717905 |
Appl. No.: |
11/483228 |
Filed: |
July 7, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10495293 |
May 12, 2004 |
7122964 |
|
|
PCT/KR02/00735 |
Apr 22, 2002 |
|
|
|
11483228 |
Jul 7, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
313/631 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01J 9/247 20130101;
H01J 9/02 20130101; H01J 65/00 20130101; H01J 61/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
313/631 |
International
Class: |
H01J 61/04 20060101
H01J061/04; H01J 17/04 20060101 H01J017/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 29, 2001 |
KR |
2001-88037 |
Claims
1. A lamp comprising: a lamp tube, having a first region and a
second region separated from the first region, and including an
operation gas and a fluorescent material therein, for generating a
light; a first electrode formed at the first region of the lamp
tube; a second electrode surrounding the circumference of the
second region of the lamp tube, being extended toward a center of
the lamp tube, being formed thinner according as the second
electrode is formed at closer to the center of the lamp tube, and
being separated from the first electrode.
2.-4. (canceled)
5. A lamp comprising: a lamp tube, having a first region and a
second region, and including an operation gas and a fluorescent
material therein, for generating a light; a first electrode formed
at the first region of a lamp tube formed; a second electrode
surrounding a circumference of the second region of the lamp tube,
being extended toward a center of the lamp tube from a second end
portion of the lamp tube, and a distance between each first points
on a slanted end of the second electrode and each corresponding
second points on a second end portion of the second electrode
varying continuously when each first points lies precisely on a
straight line with each corresponding second points.
6.-7. (canceled)
8. A method of manufacturing a lamp, the lamp generating a light by
an electrical power to a first region and a second region separated
from the first region 20 of a lamp tube, said method comprising the
steps of: forming a first electrode at the first region of the lamp
tube; transferring the lamp tube so that the second region is
dipped in a solution for forming all electrode, and forming a
second electrode which is coated thicker in proportion to a period
during which the second region is dipped in the solution for
forming an electrode by pulling out the second region toward the
surface of the solution with a gradually decreasing speed.
9.-16. (canceled)
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a lamp and method of
manufacturing the same, and more particularly to a lamp and method
of manufacturing the same for minimizing the luminance difference
when the lamps, which are in parallel connected to a power supply,
are turned on, as well as for maximizing the utilization efficiency
of a light by extending an effective light-emitting region.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Generally, a lamp is a device for converting an electric
energy into a light for objects to be recognized by workers' eyes
at a dark place.
[0003] A lamp of cold cathode fluorescent tube (CCFT) is one of
illumination devices for generating lights by utilizing an electric
discharge phenomenon, i.e. electrons spatial movement.
[0004] These CCFT type lamps have advantages of being able to
generate a white light similar to sun light, have a longer lifetime
and generate less heat than fluorescent lamps and electric
lamps.
[0005] This CCFT type lamp 10, as shown in FIG. 1, has a lamp tube
1 for providing a sealed discharging space, a first electrode 3 and
a second electrode 5 for generating an electric discharge in the
lamp tube 1.
[0006] Specifically, the lamp tube 1 has a tube body 1a, a
fluorescent layer (not shown), and an operation gas 1b. More
specifically, the lamp tube 1 has a closed shape sealed at both
ends of the lamp tube 1. A predetermined thick fluorescent layer is
formed by coating fluorescent material on inner surface of the tube
body 1a, and the operation gas 1b is injected into the tube body
1a.
[0007] On the other hand, the first electrode 3 and the second
electrode 5 are formed at an inner discharging space in the lamp
tube 1. The first electrode 3 and the second electrode 5 are
respectively formed at one end portion and the other end portion of
the tube body 1a centering about the center of the tube body 1a. An
electric power is applied to a pair of first and second electrodes
3 and 5 formed in the tube body 1a. The electric power has enough
power, for example, for electrons to move from the first electrode
3 to the second electrode 5.
[0008] A light generating process begins by applying an electric
power to the first electrode 3 and the second electrode 5.
[0009] Accordingly, electrons spatial movements are generated from
the first electrode 3 to the opposite second electrode 5. Electrons
move from the first electrode 3 to the second electrode 5, and
collide with the operation gas 1b. Therefore, the operation gas 1b
is decomposed into atoms, neutrons, and electrons. This means that
plasma is formed in the tube body 1a by electrons spatial
movement.
[0010] An invisible light is generated during this process in the
tube body 1a, and the invisible light stimulates the fluorescent
layer (not shown). Accordingly, a white light having a wavelength
of visible ray, which is recognized by eyes of workers, is
generated in the fluorescent layer.
[0011] However, the lamp 10, which includes the first electrode 3
and the second electrode 5 therein, has also fatal disadvantages
although the lamp has various advantages. One of the fatal
disadvantages is that a luminance difference is generated between
lamps 10 when a plurality of lamps 10 in parallel connected with a
power supply (not shown) is driven.
[0012] On the other hand, recently, a method for forming external
electrodes made of metal on the outer surface of the lamp in order
to solve the problem of the luminance difference. By using the
plurality of lamps manufactured by this method, the luminance
difference between the lamps may be minimized when the plurality of
lamps in parallel connected with a power supply is driven.
[0013] Although this method is able to solve the problem of the
luminance difference, and is able to reduce the power consumption,
this method causes another problem of reducing the utilization
efficiency of a light because the external electrodes mask most of
effective light-emitting region through which the generated light
is transmitted.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention has been made to solve the above
problems of prior arts, therefore, it is the first object of the
present invention to provide a lamp for maximizing an effective
light-emitting region to greatly enhance a utilization efficiency
of a light, as well as for minimizing the luminance difference even
when the lamps in parallel connected with a power supply is turned
on.
[0015] To achieve the first object of the invention, there is
provided a lamp comprising a lamp tube, a first electrode and a
second electrode. The lamp tube for generating a light has a first
region and a second region separated from the first region, and
includes an operation gas and a fluorescent material therein. The
first electrode is formed at the first region of the lamp tube. The
second electrode surrounds the circumference of the second region
of the lamp tube, is extended toward a center of the lamp tube, is
formed thinner according as the second electrode is formed at
closer to the center of the lamp tube, and is separated from the
first electrode.
[0016] The second object of the present invention is to provide a
lamp manufacturing method for maximizing a utilization efficiency
of a light, as well as for minimizing the luminance difference even
when lamps parallel connected with a power supply is turn on.
[0017] To achieve the second object of the invention, there is
provided a method for manufacturing a lamp, the lamp generating a
light by an electrical power to a first region and a second region
separated from the first region of a lamp tube. In the above
method, a first electrode is formed at the first region of the lamp
tube and then the lamp tube is transferred for the second region to
be dipped in a solution for forming an electrode. A second
electrode, which is coated thicker in proportion to a period during
which the second region is dipped in the solution for forming an
electrode, is formed by pulling out the second region toward the
surface of the solution with a gradually decreasing speed.
[0018] According to the present invention, the lamp manufacturing
method improves the conventional electrode forming method,
maximizing a utilization efficiency of a light, as well as for
solving the problem of the luminance difference even when the lamps
in parallel connected with a power supply are turned on.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] The above objects and other advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent by describing in detail
preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached
drawings in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a conceptual scheme of conventional lamp schematic
view of a conventional liquid crystal display device;
[0021] FIG. 2A is a partial cross-sectional perspective view
showing a lamp according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A
of FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing a lamp tube according
to the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 3B is a partially magnified view of a portion C of the
lamp tube in FIG. 3A.
[0025] FIGS. 3C-3E are schematic views showing a method for
manufacturing a lamp having a first electrode according to the
first embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing a lamp tube having a
first electrode according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0027] FIGS. 4B-4D are schematic views showing a method for
manufacturing a lamp having a second electrode after forming a
first electrode according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing the lamp according to
a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B
of FIG. 5A;
[0030] FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing a lamp tube having a
first electrode according to the second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0031] FIGS. 6B-6D are schematic views showing a method for
manufacturing a lamp having a second electrode after forming a
first electrode according to the second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0032] FIG. 7A is a partial cross-sectional perspective view
showing a lamp according to a third embodiment of the present
invention;
[0033] FIG. 7B is a partially magnified view of a portion D of the
lamp tube in FIG. 7A.
[0034] FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing a lamp tube according
to the third embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIGS. 8B-8D are schematic views showing a method for
manufacturing a lamp according to the third embodiment of the
present invention;
[0036] FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing a lamp tube according
to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 9B is a partially magnified view of a portion E of the
lamp tube in FIG. 9A.
[0038] FIGS. 9C-9E are schematic views showing a method for
manufacturing a lamp according to the fourth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0039] FIG. 10A is a perspective view showing a lamp tube having a
first electrode according to the fourth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0040] FIGS. 10B-10C are schematic views showing a method for
manufacturing a lamp having a second electrode after forming a
first electrode according to the fourth embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0041] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a liquid
crystal display device using the lamp according to one embodiment
of the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0042] Hereinafter, a lamp and method for manufacturing the lamp
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will
be described in detail.
Embodiment 1
[0043] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B show a lamp according to a first
embodiment of the present invention. The lamp is a lamp of cold
cathode fluorescent tube (CCFT) as a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the lamp 100, according to
one embodiment of the present invention, comprises a lamp tube 110,
a first electrode 130, and a second electrode 120 as a whole.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 2B, the lamp tube 110 comprises a tube
body 112, a fluorescent layer 114, and an operation gas 116. The
tube body 112 has a transparent tube shape through which light
passes.
[0046] The fluorescent material is coated by a predetermined
thickness on the inner surface of the tube body 112, accordingly
the fluorescent layer is formed thereon. On the other hand, the
operation gas 116 is injected into the tube body 112 formed with
the fluorescent layer on the inner surface thereof. A first end
portion 117 and a second end portion 118 are sealed completely from
the outside of the lamp tube 110.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the first electrode 130 and
the second electrode 120 according to the preferred embodiment of
the present invention is formed at the tube body 112 of the lamp
tube 110 having abovementioned construction.
[0048] The first electrode 130 and the second electrode 120
functions for supplying an electric power in order to generate an
electric discharge in the lamp tube 110.
[0049] As one embodiment of the present invention, the first
electrode 130 may be formed at either an inner surface portion or
an outer surface portion of the lamp tube 110, and the second
electrode 120 is formed at an outer surface portion of the lamp
tube 110.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, both the first electrode
130 and the second electrode 120 are formed at outer surface
portions of the lamp tube as a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0051] The first electrode 130 is comprised of a transparent
conductive material, such as ITO or IZO as one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0052] As a first embodiment of the present invention, the first
electrode has a capping shape to surround the circumference surface
of the tube body 110 at a first end portion 117 of the tube body
110. More specifically, the first electrode 130 surrounds the first
end portion 117, and is extended by a length of a first region (L2)
toward the central point (as shown "0" in FIG. 2B) of the tube body
110. The first region (L2) varies appropriately considering an area
of the first electrode 130.
[0053] A first end portion 132 of the electrode is defined as an
end portion of the first electrode 130 near to the first end
portion 117, and a second end portion 134 of the electrode is
defined as an end portion of the first electrode 130 near to the
central point of the tube body 110.
[0054] The thickness of the first electrode 130 becomes thinner
according as the first electrode 130 is formed starting from the
first end portion 132 of the electrode to the second end portion
134 of the electrode. Namely, the first electrode 130 is the
thickest at the first end portion 132 of the electrode. This has an
object for reducing the light loss generated from the light, which
is generated from the lamp tube 110, passing through the first
electrode 130.
[0055] More specifically, the thickness of the first electrode 130
is thinnest at the second end potion 134 of the electrode, and the
thickness of the second end portion 134 of the electrode is
preferably in a range of 10-40 .ANG..
[0056] The second electrode 120 is also required in order to apply
a discharging power to the lamp tube 110. As one preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the second electrode 120 is
formed on an outer surface portion as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.
[0057] More specifically, the second electrode 120 is comprised of
a transparent conductive material, such as ITO or IZO as one
embodiment of the present invention. The second electrode has a
capping shape to surround the circumference surface of the tube
body 110 at a second end portion 118 of the tube body 110 opposite
to the first end portion 117. Also, the second electrode 120, which
surrounds the tube body 110, is extended by a length of the second
region (L1) that is the same as the first region (L2) toward the
central point (as shown "O" in FIG. 2b) of the tube body 110. The
second region (L1) is varied by appropriately considering an area
of the second electrode 120.
[0058] A third end portion 122 of the electrode is defined as an
end portion of the second electrode 120 near to the second end
portion 118, and a fourth end portion 124 of the electrode is
defined as an end portion of the second electrode 120 near to the
central point of the tube body 110.
[0059] The thickness of the second electrode 120 becomes thinner
according as the second electrode 120 is formed starting from the
third end portion 122 of the electrode to the fourth end portion
124 of the electrode. That is, the second electrode 120 is the
thickest at the third end portion 122 of the electrode. Thus, the
light loss generated from the light passing through the second
electrode 120 may be minimized.
[0060] Accordingly, the thickness of the second electrode 120 is
thinnest at the fourth end potion 124 of the electrode, and the
thickness of the fourth end portion 124 of the electrode is
preferably a range of 10-40 .ANG..
[0061] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a method of manufacturing a lamp 100 as
shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the lamp tube 110, into
which a fluorescent layer 114 and an operation gas 116 are
injected, is gripped tightly by means of a transfer device 300 as
shown in FIG. 3C. The lamp tube 110 is transferred as shown in FIG.
3C, the first region (L2) of the lamp tube 110 is dipped into a
transparent liquid solution 400 for forming an electrode. The
reference numeral 410 represents a container for receiving the
solution 400 for forming an electrode.
[0063] The lamp tube 110 is coated with the solution 400 for
forming an electrode according as the lamp tube 110 is dipped into
the solution 400 for forming an electrode. Hereinafter, the
solution 400 coated on the lamp tube 110 is defined as the first
electrode 130.
[0064] The surface 430 of the solution 400 for forming an electrode
is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (Lx) of the lamp tube 110
as one preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0065] The transfer device 300, which fixes the lamp tube 110 as
shown in FIG. 3D, moves to the direction in which the lamp tube 110
is pulled out from the solution 400 for forming an electrode. The
pulling out speed, with which the lamp tube 110 is pulled out from
the solution 400 for forming an electrode, is very important.
[0066] More specifically, a profile of the first electrode 130 is
formed differently according to the pulling out speed until the
first end portion 117 of the lamp tube 110, which is dipped in the
solution 400 for forming an electrode, is pulled out of the
solution 400 for forming an electrode.
[0067] The lamp tube 110 is pulled out by a predetermined speed at
first, and is pulled out by gradually decreasing the speed as one
preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3E
and FIG. 2B, the first electrode 130 has such a profile that the
thickness of the first electrode 130 becomes thinner according as
the first electrode 130 is formed from the first end portion 132 of
the electrode to the second end portion 134 of the electrode,
because the thickness increases in proportion to the period while
the lamp tube 110 is dipped in the solution 400 for forming an
electrode.
[0068] After the first electrode 130 is formed on the lamp tube as
shown in FIG. 4A, the second end portion 118 is disposed in
parallel with the surface of the solution 400 for forming an
electrode. It is preferable that the surface of the solution 400
for forming an electrode is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
of the lamp tube 110.
[0069] Thereafter, the lamp tube 110 is dipped into the solution
400 for forming an electrode by a depth of the second region (L1)
as shown in FIG. 4B.
[0070] The lamp tube 110 is coated with the solution 400 according
as the lamp tube is dipped in the solution 400. Hereinafter, the
second electrode 120 is defined as the solution 400 coated on the
lamp tube 110.
[0071] The transfer device 300, which fixes the lamp tube 110 as
shown in FIG. 4C, moves to the direction in which the lamp tube 110
is pulled out from the solution 400 for forming an electrode. The
pulling out speed, with which the lamp tube 110 is pulled out from
the solution 400 for forming an electrode, is very important. More
specifically, the lamp tube 110 is pulled out form the solution 400
for forming an electrode by a predetermined speed at first, and is
pulled out by gradually decreasing the speed. As shown in FIG. 4D,
the second electrode 120 has such a profile that the thickness of
the second electrode 120 becomes thinner according as the second
electrode 120 is formed from the third end portion 122 of the
electrode to the fourth end portion 124 of the electrode.
Embodiment 2
[0072] Another embodiment different from the first embodiment is
shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B. Referring to FIG. 5A or FIG. 5B, the
first electrode 140 is disposed at inner surface of the lamp tube
110, and the second electrode 130 can be formed at outer surface of
the lamp tube 110 as in Embodiment 2.
[0073] When the first electrode 140 is disposed at an inner surface
of the tube body 110, it has another advantage that it is able to
improve light utilization efficiency and power consumption in the
lamp tube 110.
[0074] FIGS. 6A-6D show a method for manufacturing a lamp as shown
in FIG. 5A or FIG. 5B.
[0075] At first, the first electrode 140 is formed at the first end
portion 118 during the process where the fluorescent layer and the
operation gas is injected into the inside of the lamp tube 110 when
manufacturing the lamp tube shown in FIG. 6A. Namely, the first
electrode 140 is an inner electrode disposed in the tube body
112.
[0076] The lamp 100 is gripped tightly by means of the transfer
device 300 as shown in FIG. 6B while the first electrode 140 being
disposed in the tube body 110. Then, the second end portion 117 is
disposed opposite to the transparent solution 400 for forming an
electrode.
[0077] Then, the transfer device 300 for the lamp tube 110 transfer
the lamp tube 110 to be dipped into the solution 400 by a
predetermined depth such as the depth of the second region
(L2).
[0078] Hereinafter, the second electrode 130 is defined as the
solution 400 coated on the lamp tube 110.
[0079] Then, the transfer device 300 transfers the lamp tube 110 in
the reverse direction to be pulled up from the solution 400.
[0080] The thickness of the second end portion 134 of the electrode
is made thinner than that of the first end portion 132 of the
electrode by precisely controlling the pulling out speed of the
lamp tube 110 from the solution 400 as shown in FIG. 6D.
[0081] In the previously embodiments with reference to FIGS. 4A-6D,
there is disclosed an embodiment of enhancing an utilization
efficiency for the light generated from the lamp tube 110 by
controlling the profile of the first electrode 140 or the second
electrode 130.
Embodiment 3
[0082] Hereinafter, in another embodiment of the present invention,
there is disclosed a lamp in which the electrode is not formed on
the portion where the light is transmitted, and the electrode is
extended at another portion where the light is not transmitted.
[0083] One embodiment of the lamp is illustrated as follows by
referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B.
[0084] First, referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the lamp comprises a
lamp tube 710, a fluorescent layer 714 formed by coating the
fluorescent material on the inner surface of the tube body 712, and
an operation gas formed at inner surface of the tube body 712.
[0085] A first electrode 730 and a second electrode 720 are formed
at the outer surface of the lamp tube 710 having the abovementioned
structure. The first electrode 730 and the second electrode 720 are
produced by coating a conductive material, such as gold, silver,
copper, ITO, and IZO etc., on the circumference surface of the lamp
tube 710. An electroless plating method may be used for the metal
materials, and a coating method may be used for the ITO and IZO
that are in a liquid state.
[0086] The first electrode 730 surrounds the circumference surface
of the lamp tube 710, and when each first points lies precisely on
a straight line with each corresponding second points, a distance
between each first points on a slanted end of the first electrode
730 and each corresponding second points on a first end portion 732
of the first electrode varies continuously. More specifically, the
distance between each first points and each corresponding second
points increases continuously according as the first point rotates
along a circumference of the slanted end of the first electrode 730
from the point (this point is shown as reference numeral 734 in
FIG. 7A) having the shortest distance, and is the longest at the
180.degree. rotated point (this point is shown as reference numeral
736 in FIG. 7A) from the point 734. When each first points lies
precisely on a straight line with each corresponding second points,
the distance between each first points on a slanted end of the
first electrode 730 and each corresponding second points on a first
end portion 732 of the first electrode decreases continuously
according as the first point rotates along the circumference of the
slanted end of the first electrode 730 from the point 736, and is
the shortest at the point 734.
[0087] On the other hand, the second electrode 720 has the same
shape as the first electrode 730. The point 724, which has the
shortest distance from the second end portion 722 of the second
electrode 720, lies precisely in the straight line with the point
734 of the first electrode 730 on the circumference surface. Also,
the point 726, which has the longest distance from the second end
portion 722 of the second electrode 720, lies precisely on the
straight line with the point 736 of the first electrode 730 on the
circumference surface.
[0088] In the point 734 or 724, which has the shortest distance
respectively from the first end portion 732 of the first electrode
730 or the second end portion 722 of the second electrode 720, the
light utilization efficiency is maximized due to the abovementioned
relationship between the first electrode 730 and the second
electrode 720.
[0089] Hereinafter, a manufacturing method for a lamp 700 of FIG.
7A is illustrated with reference to FIG. 8A-8D.
[0090] First, a method of manufacturing a lamp tube 710, in which
the fluorescent layer and the operation gas is injected into the
lamp tube 710, is performed as shown in FIG. 8B-8D. The lamp tube
710 is gripped tightly by means of the transfer device 300. Then,
the first end portion 704 of the lamp tube 710, which is gripped
tightly by the transfer device 300, is dipped into the conducting
solution 400 for forming an electrode as shown in FIG. 8B.
[0091] The angle .alpha.1 between the longitudinal axis (Lx) of the
lamp tube 710 and the surface of the solution 400 is very important
when the lamp tube is dipped into the solution 400.
[0092] Specifically, the angle between the longitudinal axis (Lx)
of the lamp tube 710 and the surface of the solution 400 is an
acute angle.
[0093] Then, the lamp tube 710 is completely pulled out from the
solution 400. Hereinafter, the first electrode 730 is defined as
the solution 400 coated on the lamp tube 710.
[0094] The lamp tube 710 is rotated by the transfer device 300, and
the second end portion 702 opposite to the first end portion 704 is
disposed opposite to the surface of the solution 400 after the
first electrode 730 is formed on the lamp tube 710.
[0095] The second end portion 702 of the lamp tube 710 is dipped
into the solution 400 by a predetermined depth as shown in FIG. 5C.
The angle .alpha.2 between the longitudinal axis (Lx) of the lamp
tube 710 and the surface of the solution 400 is an acute angle. The
angle .alpha.2 for forming the second electrode 720 is the same as
the angle .alpha.1 for forming the first electrode 730.
[0096] The portion, which is dipped into the solution 400, is the
second electrode 720 of the lamp tube 710. The shape of the second
electrode 720 is a mirror shape of the previously defined first
electrode 730 with respect to the center of the lamp tube 710.
[0097] Hereinafter, the lamp tube 710 is pulled out from the
solution 400 by the lamp tube transfer device 300 as shown in FIG.
8D, and accordingly the lamp is manufactured.
Embodiment 4
[0098] Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, a first electrode 820 is
formed at a first end portion 817 of a lamp tube 810 into which a
fluorescent layer 814 and a operation gas 816, and the first
electrode 820 is disposed in the lamp tube 810.
[0099] A second electrode 830 is formed along the circumference
surface of the lamp tube 810 at a second end portion 818 opposite
to the first end portion 817.
[0100] The second electrode 830 surrounds the circumference surface
of the lamp tube 810, and when each fifth points lies precisely on
a straight line with each corresponding sixth points, a distance
between each fifth points on a slanted end of the second electrode
830 and each corresponding sixth points on a second end portion 832
of the second electrode 830 varies continuously. More specifically,
the distance between each fifth points and each corresponding sixth
points increases continuously according as the fifth point rotates
along a circumference of the slanted end of the second electrode
830 from the point 834 having the shortest distance, and is the
longest at the 180.degree. rotated point 836 from the point 834.
When each fifth points lies precisely on a straight line with each
corresponding sixth points, the distance between each fifth points
on a slanted end of the second electrode 830 and each corresponding
sixth points on a second end portion 832 of the second electrode
decreases continuously according as the fifth point rotates along
the circumference of the slanted end of the second electrode 830
from the point 836, and is the shortest at the point 834.
[0101] Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing a lamp with the
abovementioned structure is illustrated with reference to FIGS.
10A-10C.
[0102] First, the lamp tube 810, which is formed with the first
electrode 820, is gripped tightly by means of the transfer device
300. Then, the second end portion 818, which is opposite to the
first end portion 817, of the lamp tube 810 gripped tightly by the
transfer device 300, is disposed opposite to the conducting
solution 400 for forming an electrode.
[0103] The angle .alpha. between the longitudinal axis (Lx) of the
lamp tube 810 and the surface of the solution 400 is an acute
angle. Referring to FIG. 10B, the second end portion 818 of the
lamp tube 810 is dipped into the solution 400 by a predetermined
depth. The second electrode 830 is defined as the solution 400
coated on the lamp tube 810.
[0104] Then, the lamp tube 810 is pulled out from the solution 400
by the lamp tube transfer device 300 as shown FIG. 10C, and
accordingly the lamp is manufactured.
[0105] On the other hand, the lamps shown in FIGS. 2A-10B according
to various embodiment of the present invention, is able to be used
in the liquid crystal display device as one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0106] FIG. 11 shows a liquid crystal display device for displaying
an image by using the light generated from the abovementioned
lamp.
[0107] The liquid crystal display device 900 includes mainly a
backlight assembly 950 and a liquid crystal display panel assembly
960. The liquid crystal display device 900 may further include a
backlight assembly 950, an intermediate receiving container 980,
and a top chassis 970.
[0108] Specifically, the liquid crystal display panel assembly 960
includes a liquid crystal display panel 962 and a driving device
964.
[0109] The liquid crystal display panel assembly 960 controls
locally the light transmissivity by controlling the liquid crystal
in minute area unit. In other words, it means that the liquid
crystal display panel assembly 960 cannot perform a display
function without the light. For this reason, the liquid crystal
display device 900 requires light for performing the display
function.
[0110] Also, a light with a nonuniform brightness cannot be used in
displaying devices. A screen looks like a divided screen, one part
of the screen looks excessively dark, and another part of the
screen looks excessively bright.
[0111] Accordingly, a light with a uniform brightness should be
used in the liquid crystal display device 900.
[0112] The backlight assembly 950, which generates light and makes
the brightness of light uniform, is used in the liquid crystal
display device 900 according to the present invention.
[0113] The backlight assembly 950 includes a receiving container
910, the lamp illustrated enough in Embodiments 1 to 4, a power
supply for lamp, and a light uniformity enhancing modules 920 and
930.
[0114] The light uniformity enhancing modules 920 and 930 are a
diffusion plate 920 and an optical sheet 930.
[0115] A white light with a very uniform brightness distribution is
generated from the back light assembly 950. The white light
generated from the back light assembly 950 is supplied to the
liquid crystal display panel assembly 960. The backlight assembly
950 is assembled with the liquid crystal display panel assembly 960
via the intermediate receiver 980.
[0116] Then, the top chassis 970 is assembled with the liquid
crystal display panel assembly 960 to protect the liquid crystal
display panel assembly, thereby the liquid crystal display device
being accomplished.
[0117] Although, in this invention, the ITO or IZO is used as
electrode material formed at the outer surface of the lamp as a
preferred embodiment, gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), and
Nickel (Ni), etc. can be used as electrode material.
[0118] As described above, according to the present invention, the
method for forming electrodes in the lamp is improved, the light
utilization efficiency is maximized, and solves the problem of the
nonuniform brightness generating when a plurality of lamps is
parallel connected to a power supply.
[0119] While the present invention has been described in detail
with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it should be
understood to those skilled in the art that various changes,
substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without departing
from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims.
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